Machine for packing biscuits



E. P. WEBSTER l{MACHINE} FOR PACKING BISCUITS original Filed June y29,

l922 14 Sheets-Sheet l July 1 oooomooowoooo 14` Sheets-Sheet "2 INVENTOR me; wrm/f AITDR MACHINE FOR PACKING BISCUITS Original Filed June 29,. 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 3- INVENTOR ATTORNEY Q July 13 ,1926.

E. P. WEBSTER MACHINE FOR PACKING BISCUITS Original Filed June 29, 1922 14 sheets-snet 4 m6,@ mmf. 6./0. wmm

ATTORNEY Julyl 13 1926.

E. P. WEBSTER MACHINE FOR PAKING BISCUITS INVENTQR BY f? mm, //J .d1/@0mm ATTORNEY July 13 1926. 1,592,793

E. P. WEBSTER MACHINE FOR PACKING BISGUITS Original Filed June 29,1922 14 sheets-sheet e ATTORNEY? E. P. WEBSTER MACHINE FOR PACKING BISCUITS Original Filed June 29, w22 14 Sheets-Sheet` 7 )OGEDOCHDOO 7g INVENTOR ATTORNE f July 13 1926.

E. P. WEBSTER MACHINE FOR PACKNG BISCUITS original Filed June 29,' 1922 14- sheets-sheet a lil@ INVENTOR BY 69mm( CST/.

[wd/Mm ATToRNE 0 July 13 1.926. 1,592,793

E. P. WEBSTER MACHINE FOR PACKING y'BISCUIVTS l Origial Filed June 29, 1922- 14 Shets-Sheet' 9 .BY v CT/0. 17;

ATTORNEY.

L-.L AIL MACHINE FOR PACKING BISCUITS Original Filed Jun@ 29. 1922 INVENTOR 14 Sheets-Sheet 140 ATTORNE E. P. WEBSTER 'KACHINE FOR PACKING BISCUITS July 13' 1926.

Original Filed June 29, 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet '11 sNvENToR www@ OM' grv" July 13 1926. 1,592,793

E. P. WEBSTER 4 ncnmn' Foa PACKING Bxscuxws original Filed Jun 29. 1922 1'4 sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR Y 5 f. ma m. m

ATTORNEY@ July 13 1926. 1,592,793

E. P. WEBSTER l MACHINE FQR PACKING BISCUITS l original Filed June 29, 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 15l :Ss h5 INVENTOR BY 6.2m@

ATTORNEYn E. P. WEBSTER MACHINE FOR PACKING BISCUITS July 13 1926.

Original Filed June 29, 1922 14 Sheets-Sheet 14l A wfzl. 6 Mmm I Patented July 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,592,793 PATENT OFFICE,

ARL P. WEBSTER, 0F NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHREDDED WHEAT COMPANY, OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, rA CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR PACKING BISCUITS.

Application filed June 29, 1922, Serial No, 571,824.

This invention relates to machines for packing food products in receptacles such as cartons, and has to do more particularly with a machine by which food products of a delicate structure, such as shredded wheat biscuits, can be packed into cartons rapidly and without damage. An adaptation of the invention for packing such biscuits in cartons, each holding a dozen biscuits, will be described, but it is to be understood that the utility of the invention is not limited to the handling of this particular product, nor to packing in cartons of any particular size.

The machine of the present invention is constructed and arranged to pack the biscuits into cartons in horizontal groups or layers of three biscuits each, so that the cartons which are fed successively by suitable mechanism may bepacked at a relatively rapid rate. At each operation of the machine a group of biscuits is fed to the carton to form a horizontal layer therein. As each carton has a considerable depth, it is not permissible to drop the fragile biscuits into position, but each layer must be carefully positioned in the carton. Accordingly, the biscuits are deposited in groups on a receiving surface or platform which enters each carton from beneath. This platform lies fiush with the top of the carton to receive the first layer of biscuits and is then moved downwardly a step corresponding to the thickness of the layer. A second group or layer of biscuits is now fed upon the layer already in place, and these operations continue until the carton is full.

In order to protect the biscuits against injury the adjacent layers are separated by strips of paper which are inserted in place during the packing operation, and the machine includes mechanism for drawing the paper from a supply, severing suitable lengths of paper and placing one such length over each layer of biscuits as the latter is deposited on the biscuit receiving surface. The machine also includes means for properly positioning the biscuits in a layer and holding them in such posit-ion during the lowering of the receiving surface, and this means takes the form of cushioned pads which contact with the biscuits in a row deposit-ed on the platform and hold these biscuits in proper position as the surface is lowered.

The mechanism for actuating the biscuit Renewed May 11, 1926.

receiving surface or platform is arranged to lower the platform in a series of short steps, and then to raise the platform in a single long step. The cartons supplied toj the machine for filling, are provided with bottom flaps which are turned inwardly, leaving an opening which is less than the cross section of the carton. The platform is accordingly constructed so that it may be collapsed so as to pass through the opening and then expanded to provide a surface of substantially the same area as the cross section of the carton, and the mechanism by which the platform is raised and lowered automatically expands and contracts the platform at the appropriate instant in it-s movement.

` For a better understanding of the inve-ntion, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a transverse vertical section of the packing machine, with the plunger in fully lowered position.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same, with the plunger in fully lowered position.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure l, with the section taken on a different line and the plunger in fully raised position and parts being removed.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2,'

with the plunger in fully raised position, showing the carton, parts being removed and parts being broken away and sectioned.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2, with the plunger lowered one step, parts being broken away, and showing the counterweight for the plunger, etc.

Figure Gis a view similar to Figure 5, with the plunger lowered a second step.

Figure 7 is a ysimilar view with the plunger lowered a third step.

Figure 8 is a detail longitudinal sectional view showing the insert paper feeder and cutter.

Figure 9 is a detail end View, partly in section, of the insert paper feeder and cutter.

Figure 10 is a detail transverse section of the insert paper feeder and cutter.

Figure ll is a det-ail side view of the counterweight for the plunger, etc.

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view of the lle.

Figure 1.3 is a detail ssc-tional view of 'the pawl means for preventing Van incorrect upwai'd movement of the plunger.

Figure 14 is a detail sectional view of a modified means for controlling the plunger operating pawl.

Figure 15 is a section taken at rightangles to the section of Figure 1l, showing the pawl retracted.

Figure 16 is a similar view, pawl in projected position.

Figure 17 is a view similar with the platform fully raised the vacuum pump connection.

The drawings illustrate a machine for packing shredded wheat biscuits in cartons holding av dozen biscuits arranged in layers of three each, and the machine is provided with duplicate parts so that. two cartons may be packed at a time. Each carton packing mechanism packs cartons a, having bottom lopenings 28h fl) partially restricted by flaps 2S. The cartons are fed successively by means not shown to a position in which their openings @Sh register with an opening 96 iii the platform on which the cartons rest. Through this opening is moved a vertically reciprocating` biscuit receiving surface or platform QS. Y.Each carton has bottom flaps 2SC which are turned inwardly to Closey a portion of the vbottom opening, and the space between the flaps corresponds to the size ofthe opening in the carton-supporting platform. llhen the carton is lin vproper position` the platform 2S is showing the to Figure 5, and showing 'i raised -into the carton through the bottom opening to a position level with `the top of the carton and in alignment with a platform 26, from which the biscuits are moved 'by suitable devices upon the vplatform Q8.

The platforms of the two packing ydevices (Fig. 4t) are mounted on a plunger frame 37 -which is given a downward movement step by step, each step in Athe movement corresponding to the thickness of a layer of biscuits. Before each downward step, each platform 28 receives a layer of rbiscuits and when the downward step by step movement is completed, the `platforms 28 are withdrawn through the openings in the bottom of the cartons, and the filled ,car-

tons are ejected from the carton receiving position and empty cartons substituted. After each step in the downward movement of the plunger iframe.y devices are operated to draw strips of paper from a supply, cut suitable lengths from the strips, and insert a strip of paper in each carton between adjacent lengths of biscuits, and these devices also operate to place a strip of paper on the surface of each platform before the .first Vlayer of biscuits is deposited thereon, this strip of paper serving to bridge `the opening between'tlie carton flaps when the cartoii is removed. As soon as the filled carltons have been removed and the empty cartons have been placed in position, the plunger frame is raised to the upper limit of its path of travel in a single step, and the filling devices being to operate in the manner -to be described.

The plunger of the packing mechanism includes a vertically reciprocating frame 37, which is lslidable upon vertical rods 3S (Fig. e). Extending upwardly .from each end of the frame are rods 39, pivoted to the frame at their lower ends at 40. There Iare .three such rods 39 at each end of the frame 37, and the upper ends ofthe rods `are .pivoted at il to the two sections of a platform 28. Two of the rods are used for moving the sections ofthe .platform apart, and tlic third rod serves to keep the platform from tilting as the two sections are moved together or apart. In the lower position of ythe plunger (Fig. 2), vthe rods are close together `to contract. `the platform, and when the platform is in its uppermost position (Fig. the rods are spread .apart vto ,expand the platform. In the expanded condit-ion, the surface of the platform is sul stantially equal to the cross-section of 'the carton. The platform remains in expanded condition during the first three steps inthe downward movement 4of the frame, but iii the last downward step in the movement of the frame, 'following the placingo'f the topmost layer of biscuit-s on the platform, the platform is `contracted and passes through the opening in the platform on which the 1carton is supported.

The platform 28 of the .plunger is in this 'ay adapted in the initial upward movement of the plunger and iii .the vfinal downward Vmovement .of the plunger, to `pass through the. bottom opening 2S orf the carton, which is of less area than .that of a horizontal cross-section yof the carton -cliambei', whereas the .expansion of the platform QS as stated is for the purpose of inf; said platform approximately of the same area asthat of a. horizontal*cross-section ot the carton chamber.

The said movement ofthe rods 39 and of the platform is accomplished by means of a transverse shaft t9 (Fig. 2), mounted in ythe frame 37, and whcreon are pivotally ymounted vrock levers 43, having linl-z connections i4 with the two outer of tie upstanding rods. The rock levers LLST engage stops l5 on rods L1G near the end of the upward and downward movements of trie plunger and the roch levers are thereby 4tilted to roclrtlie shaft -lfto cause a movemeut of the rods 39, resulting in Ithe eti'.-

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head 48 working in said cylinder, said head having a piston rod i9 pivotally connected thereto at 50, and the lower end of which is pivotally connected at 51 to a. cross-head 52, the latter havingat its outer ends vertical rods 53, haring at their upper enc s connection with the plunger frame 37 at 54. The plunger is prevented from being moved upwardly except at the proper times hy springpressed pawls 55 i (Fig. 13), pivoted to the plunger trame 37 at 55 and engagingthe respective teeth 56 ot the vertical rods 38 aforesaid. Such pawls are automatically released to enable the plunger to be moved up- `wardly one full stroke as stated at the proper times by means of cams 57 upon shaft 58,

cams engaging the lower ends ot reciproca-tory steel strips 57a, having notches normally in register with the notches between the teeth 56, wherel y in the upward movement of the strips the pawls are released as stated. :The strips are returned to normal position by springs 57h. in order to properly time the action ot the cams 57 which engage the steel strips 57a and 'accomplish the automatic Arelease of the pawls 55, to enable the plunger 28 to move upwardly one full strolre as stated, these cams have gearing connection 57c (Fig. l) with ratchet wheel 76, loose upon shaft 7 6b oi the rock lever 7 6. The vacuum cylinder 47 is provided with a vacuum pump connection 168 whereby a suflicient vacuum is maintained therein at all times to exert a constant pull upwardly upon the piston head 48.

The plunger is provided with a counterweight 59 (F ig; 2), engaging guides 60 and suspended from chains 6l, the latter .passing upwardly around pulleys 62 and downwardly to and having connection with cross-head 5l at (i3. At the end of the upward movement of the plunger one full stroke, as stated, and in the nal downward movement of the plunger, nuts 64 oit the rods 53 will engage one or the other ot plugs 65, working in a seat G6, and thereby compress a coiled spring 67, located in said seat, to absorb the shock (Fig. f

For the purpose of accomplishing the step hy step downward movement of the plunger 28, the frame 37 is provided at each side thereof with a. lateral series of tour teeth, constituting a "ack G8, the respective teeth of which are engaged by ay pawl G9, pivoted on 70 to a reciprocatory vertical rod 7l, a sprin 7i? serving to hold said pawl normally projected and engaged. with said rack stated, through a lateral slot 73 ol" a vertical sleeve 74, wherein said rod 7l works. rlhis rod is given a vertically reci procatory movement by means of a link connection 75 with a roel; lever 76 Fie. l o Jerated b an eccentric 77, the pawl 69 at the end ot the upwardmovernent of rod 7l engaging the upper wall of slot 7 3 oi` sleeve 7land honig retracted within said sleeve. This retraction of the pawl within the sleeve is without function except to allow the rise oiC the plunger 28 one full strolie as stated.

After the frame 37 has reached its uppermost position, and is held there by the engagement or the pawls 55 with the uppermost teeth 53 oit the rods 38, both rods 7l are moved downwardly at the proper instant a distance equal to the length of one tooth (i8, and the pawls 60 engaging these teetl, nniove the frame downwardly a single step. he pawls more downwardly7` with the trame and at the end ot the downward step the pawls engage the teeth next in order U so as to hold the plunger in the new position. The rods 7l are new moved upwardly and the pawls (if) engage the teeth oi.: the raclr 38, nest to the lowestteeth of the rack. Upon the succeeding operationsof the rod 7l, the plunger' is moved downwardly step by step as described.

During the reciprocatory movement of the rods 7l, spring cushioned pads 78, carried by an upper cross-head 7 9, the latter mounted upon posts 93 carried by cross-head 87 and thereby connecting the rods 71,l will be let down upon the biscuit layer previously fed to the carton, and will assure the downward increment of said layer in the carton in proper horizontal position and 1n runison with the'downward inoif'ement of the plunger.

The insertion of the paper strips in the cartons is brought about by mechanism duplicated for each carton, Only a single such mechanism will therefore be described. fhe paper in the form oit a supply roll 80, is led therefrom upwardly arouuda driven roll 81 thence downwardly around a roll which is vertically movable in slotted ioni-ings 83, so that it maintains the paper taut at all times. The pap-er is led upwardly from the roll 80, through brake rolls 83, 83";

'thence between an idle-r roll 841; and a driven i' roll 90, and thence horii'zontally over the` plunger plattorm 28. The roll 8l is carried in the eues oli pivoted arms 85, and 'these arms are operated in the downward movement of the rods "T1 by engagement oi" screws of cross-heads 87 of said rods with the free ends ot. lerers 88, the latter having link kconnections 89 with said arms through spring 91 and therehy moving` roll 8-1A away from its drive roll D() and at the same time tensioningthe spring Ol. lu the upward .movement or the rods 7l the spring 91 will return the roll 84; to raised position, into Contact with its drive roll 90, and during the time that this Contact is maintained, insert paper will be fed horizontally over the plunger platform 28. rihe downward movement of the plunger .28 now taking place, said Contact of rollers 34 and 90 is hrolre.

and the Yieeding ot insert paper is stopped,

vthe guide w the brake rolls 83 and 83h acting to prevent the return movement of the paper. The paper so 'ted over the plunger platform is severed in suitable lengths by knife 92 carried at the `upper ends of; the rods 7l by posts 93 and cross yhead 87.

The cartons are iedto each packing mechanism by suitable deviceswhic'h feed the cartens one alter another in a guideway v94, with which they contact at the sides and bottom. The side flaps at the bottoinof the cartons are folded against the outer surface ot the cartons, and the end liaps 28C at the bottom oil the cartons are turned inwardly so esito yrest upon `flanges 95 at the bottom ot-the guide-way. ln the 4guide-n-*ay is an opening 96 between the end flanges, through which the plunger plattform S28 is introduced :into the cartons. The leerlingmechanism is in duplicate so that cartons are fed in pairs tothe platforms 12S, the cartons being held in position by the walls ot `y soV that by suitable longitudinal lmoveirt kthe cartons may be placed in Lroper .rk trywith the platforms 2S. is the cartons are filled, they are advanced `along the guide-way clear ot' the platforms 2S vand empty cartons are then placed in position.

In Figs. le, 15, and 1G ot the drawings, there is shown a modification of the mechanism by which the plunger frame 3T is moved downwardly with a step by step movement. In this form, each rod 7l which carries a pawlGQ brought into engagen'ieut with the teeth ot the raclr'GS on the plunger trame, yalso carries a terrule or ythimble 96 which slides upon the rod 71. and is placed between the rod andthe sleeve Tl. The rod 'Tl carries `upper and low r stop pins 9S, placed on either side of the pawl G9 and the sleeve T4 is provided with flat springs 9T which projectvthrough openings in. the sleeve and 'bear against the surface ot vthe -lerrule 9G. `Then rthe rod 71 is moved upwardly, the terrule 96 is held against movement by the springs 9T and the pawl -69 rides into :the end of the errnle and is retracted within the. sleeve Til. In the continuation of Vthe movementof the rod 7l, the lower stop pin 98 strikes the lower end ot the errnle, whereupon .the terrule is moved with the rod. In thedownward movement oit lthe red 71, the ferrule is again held against movement yby the springs 97 and the rod 71 ear ries the pawl `69 out beyond the lower end oft-the terrule. The ferrule remains stationary until the upper stop pin 9S on the rod 'Il strikes the acerrule,*whereupon the -fterrule is moved with the rod against the action of the springsQT, and thereafter 'the upper pin 98 will engage the lthimblen and the thimble and the 'pawl will move downwardly in unison Ltor the full stroke downwardly of said rod; and upon the upstroke of said rod, the

pawl G9 willbe substantially instantly retracted. against the tension ot' its spring, owing to reengagementwith said thimble, and ythereafter the Ilower pin 98-1wi'llcontact with the'zthimble, and the `thimbleand `the pawl will move in unison 'tor the full stroke upwardly ol' said rod.

I claim l. In a machine tor packing biseuitin cartons, a rbiscuit Isupport adapted to rworlc" within the cartons, means for -moving the same step by step vertically, and -tollowaip means lor the biscuit also adapted to work within the cartons.

2. ln a machine tor Ipacking biscuit in cartons, a biscuit support adapted to work within the cartons, -means Jfor moving the same step by step vertically, and cushioned follow-up means for the biscuit also adapted to wom means for intermittently moving tbesame vertically in unison with the biscuit support.

3. In a machine tor packing biscuit iin cartons, a biscuit support adapted to work within the cartons, means 'for moving the san'ie a plurality Vof part ystrokes ldownwardly, and means 'tor moving the same v.a full stroke upwardly including a cylinder, u piston working therein and having-anapcrating connection with the biscuit support,

and means for maintaining a constant vacuum in said cylinder.

el. In a machine Vtor puch-ing biscuit in cartons, a biscuit support adapted .to xwork within the cartons, means for moving the same step lby step downwardly iincluding a rech device, and reci procatory 'means y:having a. :pafwl adapted to engage the fteeth of said racl device, fand means/tor :moving the 'biscuit support a tull stroke upwardly'including a cylinder vanda piston working therein and hav-.ing an operating connection with the biscuit support, means :tor maintaining a constant vacuum in said cylinder, and means lior preventing upward movement of the biscuitsupport at other than the iproper times.

5. In a machine Jfor packing biscuit yin vithin the cartons and having.

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cartons, a biscuit support adapted towork within the cartons, lmeans 'for lautomatically moving the same step by step vertically downward including a rack device, reciprocatorymeans -ineluding a pawl engaging said rack device and adapted to cause said pavrlto project at thev beginning of .each

each downward movement and to retract at the beginning of each upward movement, means for moving the biscuit support a full stroke upwardly during a retraction of said pawl and means forl preventing upward movement of the support at other than the proper times.

7. In a nir-.chine for packing biscuit in cartons, a vertically reciprocatory biscuit support adapted to work within the cartons, a counterbalance weight therefor, and means for moving the support step by step downward and a full stroke upwardly.

8. In a machine for packing biscuit in cartons, a vertically reciprocatory biscuit support adapted to work within the cartons, a counterbalance weight therefor, means for moving the support step by step downward and a full stroke upwardly, and means for preventing upward movement of the biscuit support at other than the proper times.

9. In a machine for packing biscuit in cartons, a vertically reciprocatory biscuit support adapted to work within the cartons, a counterbalance weight therefor, and means I'or moving the support step by step down- Ward and a full stroke upwardly, including a awl and rack device and a vacuum cylin er.

10. In a machine for packing biscuit in cartons, a vertically reciprocatory biscuit support adapted to work within the cartons, a counterbalance weight therefor, means for moving the support step by step downward, and means for moving the support a full stroke upwardly, including a vacuum cylinder and a piston working therein and having connection with said counterbalance weight.

11. In a machine for packing biscuit in cartons, biscuit supporting and lowering means adapted to work within the cartons, means for intermittently operating the biscuit supporting and lowering means, and follow up means for the biscuit also working withinthe cartons.

12. In a machine for packing biscuit in cartons, biscuit supporting and lowering means adapted to work within the cartons, means for intermittently operating the biscuit supporting and lowering means, and cushioned follow-up means for the biscuit also adapted to work within the cartons and intermittently operating in unison with the biscuit supporting and lowering means.

13. In a machine for packing biscuits in cartons, the combination of a biscuit support movable within the cartons and receiving superimposed groups of biscuits, and devices operable within the cartons xto contact with each biscuit in a group received by the support to position each biscuit in the group.

14. In a machine for packing biscuits in cartons, the combination of a support for a carton, a biscuit support movable into the carton and adapted to receive superimposed rows of biscuits, means for moving the biscuit support in a single step to the top of the carton and for lowering the supportn to the bottom of the carton in a succession of steps, and devices arranged to contact with each of the biscuits received by the support to position the biscuits in the rows.

15. In a machine foiI packing biscuits in cartons, a biscuit support adapted to work within the cartons, means for moving the support step by step vertically, means for supplying lengths of paper and laying them over the support, this means including a continuously operating feed roller, and means operative to render the roller ineffective to supply paper at predetermined intervals in the vertical movement of the biscuit support.

16. In a machine for packing biscuits in cartons, the combination of a support for a carton, a biscuit support reciprocable within the carton and arranged to receive superimposed layers of biscuits, and automatic means for moving the biscuit support, including a suction device tending to maintain the support continuously at one end of its path of travel and means operable tomove the support with a step by step movement against the action of the said device.

17. In a machine for packing biscuits in cartons, the combination of a support for a carton, a biscuit support reciprocable within the carton and arranged to receive superimposed layers of biscuits, and automatic means for moving the biscuit support in a single step in one direction and with a step by step movement in the other direction, the said means including a rack carried by the support and apawl arranged to engage the teeth of the rack successively.

18. In a machine for packing biscuits, the combination of supports for a pair of cartons, a frame movable vertically toward and away from these supports, and a pair of biscuit supporting platforms on the frame movable into and out of the cartons as the frame moves.

19. In a machine for packing biscuits, the combination of supports for a pair` of cartons, a frame beneath the supports, movable vertically toward and away from the cartons, a pair of biscuit supporting platforms mounted on the frame and movable into and out of the cartons as the frame moves, the platforms being capable of expansion and contraction, and means operable t0 expand the platforms near one end of their path of travel and to contract them near the other.

20. In a machine for packing biscuits, the combination of a support for a carton, a frame beneath the support movable toward and away from the carton, a platform for receiving biscuits and lowering them into the carton comprising a pair of plates mounted lil on the traineand means for moving the plates together and apart.

21. IIn* oomloinatioma carton filling meehanism comprising' ay platform, supporting means for the platform, means for lowering the supporting` means stepr by step, and suction means operable, upon lowering of the platform to its lowerinost position, to return it toits raised position.

22y Inacarton illing mechanism, the combination of` a platform, a support for thevplatform adapted to loe moved Vertically, means tending to more the support to its uppermost'position at all times, means for lowering the support with a step by step movement, releasalole means operating to retain the support at each step of its step by step movement, and means or releasing the means last mentioned as the support reaches its-lowerniost position to permit the support to return to its uppermost position.

In* testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

vEARL r. Wnissrnn. 

